After year on the East Coast, I’ve slowly come to the conclusion that a good dog doesn’t need much but a dab of spicy mustard. Evidently, Kostas Karampekios, the owner of Simco’s on the Bridge would disagree, as would the thin woman in front of me ordering “Two, with everything.”

Brittle and cold today, I was doing a bit of urban exploring on my one-speed in Mattapan. Down to take some photos, my larger goal was Simco’s on the Bridge, which has been there since 1935. Regrets I’ve known a few, and today was no exception as I could not resist stopping first at Lenny’s Tropical Bakery. I carefully devoured a piping hot beef patty (which is the Caribbean version of an empanada) and pocketed a slice of coconut cake. The interior I seem to recall was hot-pants pink, but maybe that’s was just my mood trying to pick between the Dominican bread, piles of patties, and slices of loaf cake. It’s not the easiest place to escape from on your bike because folks are double parking erratically to dash in.

The regret with Simco’s was that I could not quickly order another dog as one dog + beef patty filled me up. The dog was extra long and slender. It had texture and a crisp enough casing without being too toothy. The roll was a marvel: griddle fried white bread. Warm, with a hint of oily fat taste to it, just enough to make your tongue really want more. If it weren’t for a summer spent wrapped in Lycra, I’d probably just order five or six buns and pass my dogs on to some poor low-carb New Year’s dieter.

I’ve never had a hot dog as good as the one I ate at Simco’s.

Simco’s on the Bridge
1509 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan
617-296-3800

Lenny’s Tropical Bakery
1195 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan
617-296-2587